Sat Nav/Phone: Bluetooth upgrade for built-in phone

[gmonag]

My MY2005 XC90 Executive has a built in phone. However it is impossible in UK to get an extra SIM using the same number as my existing HTC mobile. So... fit a new SIM to the car (with a new number - complicates things) or upgrade the car system with Bluetooth to connect to my mobile?

Does anyone know if there is a suitable upgrade? I want to be able to use the car system, without inserting a SIM, via my existing mobile.

Greg

[hancym]

I agree, I have the same issues and would be interested to know if its possible.

[sumomeister]

I asked the same thing 18 months ago, didn't get any solutions then, so installed a standard bluetooth car kit. Shame though, not being able to use the kit already built into the car.

[Paul Wildsmith]

as far as I know there isn't a solution. Vodafone some years ago had a scheme called multi-sim, though this wasn't cheap. Bluetooth is the answer, or just divert calls to the car number?

[gmonag]

Diverting calls to the car number seems the best solution to me too.

Greg

[hancym]

The trouble with that is if no call is made from the car phone for 6 months Vodafone take your money and kill the phone number! The divert solution is only good if you "maintain" two lines. Personally I object to having to pay for calls from a PAYT line when I have a free corporate number in a hand phone and also a contract phone with a shed load of free call time.

[gmonag]

The ideal solution is to have a second SIM which mirrors your mobile. Incoming calls would ring both phones. Outgoing calls from either phone use the same number. I understand this can be done in Europe and other places but not UK. O2 acted as if I was crazy when I asked them!

Greg

[XC90 Dave]

This topic has been discussed on numerous occasions, see thread

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=87522

As far as using the built in phone I have had no issues since using a 2G pay as you go SIM card, mine from Virgin (3G don't work). I was going to add bluetooth also, but by either using quick keys on a Nokia or favorites on my iPhone and the wifes Samsung, it's so easy to transfer your mobile to the car phone, I'm not going to bother with bluetooth. For those that are interested, this is how I set up call divert and divert cancel (iPhone as an example).

1. set up a new contact - call divert with the phone number as *21*simcard phone no.#
2. set up a new contact - cancel divert with the phone number as #21#
3. store these in your favorites
4. use the appropriate favorite call to transfer your mobile to or from your car phone

[Banzai]

Tip: Copy your contact list from your main phone SIM to the car SIM and when a forwarded call is received in the car the name of the caller appears on the display.

[Coconut]

AFAIK Orange UK are the only Mobile network provider that will provide a second SIM card - they call it "Orange Single Number" and it is available to Business customers for £3 a month.

The way it works is that the SIM in your Mobile phone ( eg iPhone / Blackberry etc ) is designated as the Primary SIM, and the SIM in the car set is designated as the secondary SIM.

The SIM's are set up so that anyone calling your mobile number will automatically be routed to your iPhone / Blackberry etc. UNLESS the car phone is switched on, and then they wll be routed to the car phone SIM.

No messing about swapping SIM cards or diverting numbers whenever you want to drive somewhere, it just works automatically when you switch the car phone on.

This is what I have and I love it :-)